Physician Perspectives on Web-Based Real-World Statistics for Better-Informed Drug Selection in Epilepsy: Mixed Methods Study

The notion of using big data to improve ASM selection was well received. However, there were barriers to the initial use, and users requested a more comprehensive resource that also incorporated other information related to epilepsy. EPstat is now being updated with more recent ASM statistics, including information on newer ASMs. Mobile access, more information for physicians, and mentioning the tool in regional guidelines are some possible measures to increase use. Linking multinational statistics could also increase the precision of the presented data and, thus, increase usefulness. Study of EPstat will continue and should include thematic analysis of representative and rigorously sampled workshop participants. Such studies are also likely to provide information on how physicians and health services receive web-based tools, which are likely to soon be driven by artificial intelligence. In similar projects, we recommend greater participatory involvement of both health care providers and patients already at the design stage.